Tottenham vs Chelsea Preview: Prediction, Team News and Where to Watch the Match LIVE

Saturday’s Premier League action features a huge London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with our Tottenham vs Chelsea prediction and preview. Can Thomas Frank’s men go second in the table with a statement victory?

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Preview

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prepares for a pivotal London derby as Spurs welcome Chelsea in what promises to be a defining fixture for both clubs’ top-four aspirations. The clash arrives at a crucial juncture in the Premier League season, with Thomas Frank’s Tottenham eyeing a statement victory that would propel them into second place.

Whisper it quietly, but could Arsenal’s main rivals for the Premier League title be their closest neighbours? While such suggestions might seem premature, Tottenham’s impressive start under Frank has generated genuine optimism about their capacity to sustain a challenge for the upper reaches of the table.

The broader context of the title race provides fascinating backdrop to Saturday’s encounter. Arsenal hold a commanding four-point advantage at the Premier League summit ahead of Matchday 10, with the Opta supercomputer assigning them a 68.2% chance of claiming the championship. Liverpool’s downturn has morphed into a full-blown crisis, while Manchester City continue alternating between sublime brilliance and frustrating inconsistency.

Tottenham’s title credentials receive limited endorsement from the supercomputer, which rates their championship prospects at just 1.1%. However, victory over Chelsea would ensure Frank’s side conclude Saturday in second position, sitting five points behind Arsenal and one ahead of Bournemouth, who visit Manchester City on Sunday.

Last week’s commanding 3-0 triumph at Everton showcased Tottenham’s growing maturity under Frank’s guidance. The result carried historic significance as Spurs became the first visiting team to secure three points at Hill Dickinson Stadium, demonstrating their ability to deliver under pressure in hostile environments.

Micky van de Ven’s performance at Goodison Park highlighted the Dutch defender’s growing importance to Tottenham’s system. The center-back netted twice from corners, becoming the first Spurs defender to score a brace in a Premier League match since Jan Vertonghen accomplished the feat against Liverpool in March 2013.

Van de Ven’s impending 50th Premier League appearance will mark a significant milestone for both player and club. Tottenham have averaged 1.7 points per game when the Dutchman has featured since his 2023 arrival, compared to just 1.1 without him – statistics that underscore his transformative impact on the team’s defensive stability.

Frank’s tactical influence extends beyond individual performances, with Tottenham developing a potent aerial threat that represents a significant evolution from previous campaigns. Five of Spurs’ 17 Premier League goals this season have arrived via headers (29.4%), with all concentrated across just two matches – Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall versus West Ham, Van de Ven (twice) and Sarr against Everton.

This aerial potency marks Tottenham’s highest percentage of headed goals in a Premier League season since 1998-99 (16/47, 34%), reflecting Frank’s commitment to maximizing set-piece opportunities. Only Arsenal (7) and Chelsea (6) have scored more Premier League goals from corners this season than Tottenham (5), while across the last two campaigns only the Gunners (21) have exceeded Spurs’ tally (15).

Frank’s impact on results has been immediate and impressive. The Danish coach has secured five victories in his nine Premier League matches at the helm (D2 L2) – matching the number of wins Ange Postecoglou recorded in his final 26 games at the club (D4 L17).

However, Tottenham’s home form remains a concerning vulnerability that must be addressed if they harbor genuine ambitions of sustaining a top-four challenge. The club have accumulated 13 of their 17 points on the road this season, with home returns limited to a 3-0 victory over Burnley and a 1-1 draw with Wolves secured via a stoppage-time equalizer. Both Bournemouth and Aston Villa have already claimed victories at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this campaign.

Wednesday’s EFL Cup exit compounds recent disappointment, with Spurs falling 2-0 to holders Newcastle United in the fourth round. The defeat emphasized the squad depth issues that could undermine their season-long ambitions.

Chelsea arrive in North London navigating their own turbulent period under Enzo Maresca’s guidance. While they progressed to the EFL Cup quarter-finals with a 4-3 victory over Wolves, the manner of that triumph has intensified scrutiny of the Italian coach’s tactical approach.

Having established a commanding 3-0 half-time advantage through goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estêvão, a heavily rotated Chelsea side were pegged back to 3-2 and required Jamie Gittens’ spectacular volley to secure progression. The match also saw Liam Delap dismissed for two bookable offenses, ruling him out of Saturday’s derby.

Last week’s 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland extended Chelsea’s concerning form, marking their third loss in five Premier League matches (W2) and leaving them languishing in ninth position. This represents more defeats than they suffered in their previous 16 league games combined (W10 D4 L2).

The prospect of recording four losses within their opening 10 matches looms ominously for Maresca. Chelsea have achieved such unwanted distinction only twice in the last 30 seasons – during their disastrous 2015-16 campaign (L5) and last season (L4).

Interestingly, Chelsea mirror Tottenham’s contrasting home and away form. The Blues have secured four victories in their last seven away Premier League matches (D1 L2), following an eight-match winless run on their travels. However, both away wins this season have come against managers no longer in the Premier League – 5-1 against Graham Potter’s West Ham and 3-0 versus Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest.

Maresca continues pleading for patience as his young squad develops their understanding of his tactical demands. Excluding own goals, Chelsea’s last 101 Premier League strikes have all been scored by players under 30 – the eighth-longest such run in Premier League history.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Head-to-Head

The historical record between these fierce London rivals reveals a concerning pattern for Tottenham supporters, with recent encounters heavily favoring Chelsea. Spurs have managed just one victory in their last 13 Premier League meetings with the Blues (D2 L10), suffering four consecutive defeats since that solitary triumph.

That lone success came in February 2023 with a 2-0 home victory, achieved when Cristian Stellini was temporarily filling in for Antonio Conte in the Tottenham dugout. The result represented a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a dismal sequence against their London rivals.

Chelsea’s dominance extends beyond simple win-loss records, with the Blues establishing psychological superiority at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium itself. Excluding that February 2023 defeat, Chelsea have secured five victories in their six Premier League visits to Spurs’ home ground – representing the most wins by any visiting team in competition history at this venue.

This statistical dominance creates significant mental hurdles for Tottenham to overcome, particularly given the importance of Saturday’s fixture. The weight of recent history could prove decisive in crucial moments, especially if the match remains tight entering its closing stages.

Thomas Frank’s record against Chelsea provides some cause for optimism, though his successes have come in different circumstances. The Danish coach has lost just two of his eight Premier League encounters with the Blues, all during his tenure at Brentford (W3 D3).

However, detailed examination reveals an interesting pattern in Frank’s results. All three of his victories against Chelsea occurred at Stamford Bridge, with the Dane remaining winless in his four home fixtures versus the Blues (D3 L1). This trend suggests Chelsea have historically performed better when visiting Frank’s teams, an encouraging sign for Maresca ahead of Saturday’s trip.

The head-to-head record creates a fascinating tactical subplot. Frank will need to break his personal pattern of home struggles against Chelsea while simultaneously ending Tottenham’s broader drought in this fixture. His tactical preparation must account for both statistical trends if Spurs are to secure the victory their league position demands.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tottenham – Team News

Thomas Frank approaches this crucial London derby with a significant injury crisis that will test his squad depth to its limits. The positive news comes with the anticipated returns of Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, who have not featured since the international break earlier this month.

Both defenders have been training individually to accelerate their recoveries, with Romero battling an adductor issue and Udogie recovering from a knee injury sustained while on Italy duty. Frank confirmed at his pre-match press conference that both players are available for selection, providing crucial reinforcement to his defensive options.

Wilson Odobert’s return from a side strain offers additional squad depth, though the winger faces stiff competition for starting berths. Frank indicated his availability could prove valuable given Tottenham’s congested fixture schedule.

The manager faces significant decisions over whether to immediately reintegrate Romero and Udogie into the starting lineup. While Romero appears likely to reclaim his place for such a high-profile encounter, Frank may adopt a more cautious approach with Udogie, potentially introducing him from the bench to manage his workload.

Guglielmo Vicario will return to his starting position after being omitted from the squad for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle. His presence provides stability and leadership that Tottenham desperately need against Chelsea’s attacking threats.

The injury list remains extensive and concerning. Archie Gray’s calf problem rules him out, while Dominic Solanke will not return until after the international break as his recovery from ankle surgery continues to progress slowly. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma, and Radu Dragusin complete the lengthy absentee list.

Frank has experimented with a modified tactical shape in recent matches, deploying almost two number tens when Spurs possess the ball. Despite heavy recent workloads, João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur appear likely to start at the base of midfield again, providing defensive stability against Chelsea’s technical midfielders.

Lucas Bergvall operated in the role off the left wing against Newcastle, while Xavi Simons fulfilled similar duties in the Everton victory with Mohammed Kudus deployed as the number ten. Brennan Johnson’s unconvincing performances in both matches could see him dropped from the starting lineup.

Richarlison’s struggles for form create a dilemma for Frank, who must be tempted to start Randal Kolo Muani up front despite the Frenchman’s own inconsistency this season.

Tottenham – Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Vicario
• Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence
• Midfielders: Palhinha, Bentancur, Bergvall
• Forwards: Kudus, Simons, Kolo Muani

Chelsea – Team News

Enzo Maresca will be significantly strengthened by the availability of João Pedro, Enzo Fernández, and Moisés Caicedo for Saturday’s crucial London derby. The Italian manager admitted after last weekend’s shocking 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland that the trio have been nursing injuries, forcing their careful management during recent fixtures.

João Pedro was rested entirely for Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over Wolves in the Carabao Cup, with Maresca prioritizing the striker’s fitness for the Premier League. The Brazilian has not trained fully in recent weeks due to a groin issue, making his availability crucial for Chelsea’s attacking plans.

Liam Delap’s suspension following his red card at Molineux removes an attacking option, though his absence may prove blessing in disguise given his inconsistent performances since returning from injury. The dismissal resulted from two bookable offenses during his brief cameo appearance.

Fernández and Caicedo were both introduced from the bench at Molineux as Maresca managed their workloads. Their presence in midfield should provide the control and defensive stability that Chelsea lacked during their recent defeats.

Maresca emphasized his protective approach to key players during his pre-match press conference, stating: “Yes, they are OK, they are available. The reason why João didn’t play against Wolves is because we tried to protect him. The same thing was with Enzo and Moi, just to give them some minutes, but the idea is to protect these players.”

Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile remain long-term absentees with no return expected until December. Their absences have forced Maresca to rely on younger players during crucial periods, contributing to Chelsea’s inconsistent performances.

Dario Essugo continues his recovery from thigh surgery with no return anticipated until next year. Levi Colwill’s knee injury will sideline him for the majority of the season, significantly weakening Chelsea’s defensive depth.

Despite registering a goal and two assists against Wolves, Jamie Gittens is expected to drop out of the starting lineup at Tottenham. His energetic performance off the bench demonstrated his quality, though Maresca appears committed to managing the youngster’s development carefully.

Wholesale changes to the backline are anticipated after Chelsea conceded three goals against Wolves in a hectic second-half performance. The defensive vulnerability exposed during that encounter must be addressed against Tottenham’s aerial threat.

Chelsea – Predicted XI (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Sánchez
• Defenders: James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella
• Midfielders: Caicedo, Fernández, Estêvão
• Forwards: Neto, João Pedro, Guiu

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Prediction

This London derby presents a fascinating tactical battle between two clubs navigating contrasting circumstances, with the outcome potentially defining the trajectory of both teams’ seasons. The psychological dynamics of recent encounters favor Chelsea, though Tottenham’s home advantage and desperation for victory create genuine uncertainty.

Tottenham’s abysmal record against Chelsea represents their most significant mental obstacle. Having secured just one victory in 13 Premier League encounters, including four consecutive defeats, the weight of recent history could prove decisive in crucial moments. Frank must find methods to liberate his players from these psychological constraints.

The mounting injury crisis severely limits Frank’s tactical flexibility. The absences of Maddison, Kulusevski, and Solanke remove three players capable of providing match-winning moments. While Romero and Udogie’s returns strengthen defensive options, the attacking unit lacks the quality and depth required to consistently trouble elite opposition.

Chelsea’s superior squad depth should prove decisive in this encounter. Despite their own injury concerns, Maresca possesses significantly more quality options throughout his squad. The returns of João Pedro, Fernández, and Caicedo provide the technical quality and tactical intelligence necessary to control midfield battles.

The tactical battle will likely center on midfield dominance, where João Palhinha faces the considerable challenge of shoring up Tottenham’s defensive structure against the technical wizardry of Caicedo and Fernández. This area of the pitch will determine which team can impose their preferred style on proceedings.

Tottenham’s home form remains deeply concerning, with their inability to convert Tottenham Hotspur Stadium advantage into consistent points undermining their season-long ambitions. Frank must address this vulnerability if Spurs are to sustain their top-four challenge beyond the opening months.

Chelsea’s improved away form provides confidence that they can secure a positive result. Having won four of their last seven away Premier League matches, the Blues have demonstrated greater comfort on their travels compared to home fixtures.

The match could follow a familiar pattern, with Chelsea’s quality eventually overwhelming Tottenham’s depleted squad. Frank will need to orchestrate a tactical masterclass to overcome both his personal record against Chelsea and Tottenham’s broader drought in this fixture.

Prediction: Tottenham 0–2 Chelsea

When and Where to Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea in India? Broadcast and Streaming Details

Indian football fans can catch the Tottenham vs Chelsea Premier League London derby live on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 11 PM IST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The match will be telecast on Star Sports Network channels including Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 1 HD, Star Sports Select 2, and Star Sports Select 2 HD.

For digital streaming, Disney+ Hotstar will provide live coverage of the fixture, though viewers will need a premium subscription to access the content. The platform offers comprehensive coverage with multiple viewing angles and expert commentary in various languages.

This crucial London derby promises to be a defining encounter in the race for top-four qualification, making it essential viewing for Indian football enthusiasts who can enjoy comprehensive coverage across Star Sports’ multi-platform approach. The match represents a significant test for both clubs’ ambitions of securing Champions League qualification.

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